Recipes Everyday Cooking Slow Cooker 23 Best Slow Cooker Recipes for Summer By Hannah Klinger Hannah Klinger Instagram Website Hannah Klinger is a food writer, editor, and recipe developer with a talent for creating comprehensive cooking guides and explainers, debunking common food myths, and inspiring cooks of all skill levels to gain more confidence in the kitchen. In addition to Allrecipes, she has contributed to America's Test Kitchen, Cooking Light, Food & Wine, EatingWell, the Kitchn, and more. Experience: With over 12 years of experience in food media, Hannah has worked closely with notable chefs, cookbook authors, bloggers, and nutritionists to bring their stories and expertise to life. In her current role as content manager for Savory Magazine, she oversees the production of the annual print issues. Prior to that, Hannah worked as a recipe editor and copywriter for Plated, a meal kit startup based in New York, and as a food and special projects editor at Cooking Light. Education: Hannah received her BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a culinary degree from Jefferson State Community College. She has also completed a digital marketing certification from General Assembly. Although she has never been an adapter of kitchen gadgets, she can't live without her Instant Pot. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on April 16, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: fabeverydayblog Hearty winter stews and braises aside, summer is actually the perfect time to break out your slow cooker. It keeps your kitchen cool (no standing over a hot stove or heating up the kitchen with your oven). It's hands free so you can enjoy long, fun-filled days outside. And it does all the work of a smoker or grill without hours of tending to the coals, bringing barbecue classics to your table with next to no effort. These recipes might just give your slow cooker a permanent spot on your kitchen counter. 01 of 23 Classic Slow Cooker Corn Chowder View Recipe This creamy corn chowder is summer's answer to the hearty stews you'd make in colder months. If you have lots of fresh corn, go ahead and swap it for the frozen kernels here. 02 of 23 Slow Cooker Pulled Pork View Recipe The British Baker No need to babysit a grill or smoker; your slow cooker does all the work here. Root beer and barbecue sauce infuse pork tenderloin for fork-tender meat that had over 4,000 reviewers cheering. 03 of 23 Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs View Recipe naples34102 Barbecued ribs on a weeknight? The slow cooker makes it happen. Once cooked through, they're brushed with the sauce and baked for crispy edges and a glossy glaze. "They were falling off the bone delicious!" says reviewer Denise Adams. 04 of 23 Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa View Recipe Barbacoa, or Mexican-style barbecued beef, is traditionally buried in an underground oven and slow roasted overnight. This recipe mimics that method with a slow cooker and a boneless beef chuck roast—no digging required! 05 of 23 Slow Cooker Vegetarian Minestrone View Recipe House of Aqua This soup is an easy way to enjoy lots of seasonal produce, including zucchini and green beans. Serve with crusty toasted bread for a light summer meal. "I'm so glad I made a huge batch so I could freeze the rest for later," says user MTRoth. 06 of 23 Colleen's Slow Cooker Jambalaya View Recipe This Cajun classic would do New Orleans natives proud, even with the not-so-traditional twist of using the slow cooker. It helps the bold seasonings and smoky andouille sausage infuse the jambalaya and meld together. 07 of 23 Spicy Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup View Recipe Inexpensive dried black beans become perfectly tender in this slow cooker soup—a great alternative to the usual stovetop chili. Dial back the spices like some reviewers for a milder soup, or top off the bowl with cooling avocado, rice, or sour cream. 08 of 23 Slow Cooker Carnitas View Recipe Tammy Lynn The taqueria comes to your kitchen with this shredded pork recipe. The slow cooker cuts out the stovetop fry and oven roast, keeping your kitchen cool. Use the meat again and again in tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and sandwiches. 09 of 23 Outrageous Warm Chicken Nacho Dip View Recipe Marianne Over 700 reviewers agree that this dip is outrageously easy (just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker) and outrageously delicious—think queso and seven layer dip in one. Be sure to use sturdy tortilla chips for dipping! 10 of 23 Homestyle Kalua Pork with Cabbage in a Slow Cooker View Recipe Kraig You might not be at a beach luau in Hawaii this summer, but you can still enjoy this traditional dish at home. Liquid smoke gives the pork butt an over-the-fire flavor as it becomes meltingly tender in the slow cooker. 11 of 23 Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers View Recipe KGora Think your slow cooker is only for soups and braises? Think again. These whole bell peppers, stuffed with a beef and tomato filling, are another veggie-forward way to take advantage of the slow cooker's low, even heat. 12 of 23 Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken View Recipe fabeverydayblog The toppings that go on a taco—salsa, cilantro, and lime—go in the slow cooker for this easy recipe. They infuse boneless, skinless chicken breasts, along with taco seasoning. Keep in the fridge for tacos, enchiladas, and salads. 13 of 23 Stephanie's Freezer Spaghetti Sauce View Recipe Creator Stephanie Lane recommends this recipe when you have a surplus of garden tomatoes. The slow cooker concentrates their bright flavor before freezing so you can enjoy a burst of summer flavor any time of year. 14 of 23 Warm Berry Compote View Recipe Allrecipes Magazine If you're lucky enough to pick and freeze a bunch of berries this summer, this beautiful compote is a great way to use them. It's delicious on its own, and even better dolloped over flaky biscuits or vanilla ice cream. 15 of 23 Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken II View Recipe Dianne "A wonderful 'fix and forget' recipe. Great served with rice or pasta, or even alone," Carla Joy says. 16 of 23 Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs View Recipe Allrecipes Magazine "Incredible recipe! I will never make meatballs any other way," home cook Saveur says. "Tender, flavorful, and delicious. Plenty of delicious sauce." 17 of 23 Pozole in a Slow Cooker View Recipe mauigirl "Easy, authentic pozole. Serve with chopped onion, cilantro, shredded cabbage, lime wedges, and corn tortillas or tostadas," Isabel says. 18 of 23 Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs View Recipe Myrna "It's easy and uses pantry staples. Always a hit with adults and kids. Serve with basmati rice or quinoa and steamed or roasted vegetables," Myrna says. 19 of 23 Slow-Cooker Pepper Steak View Recipe Marisa R. "Very tender and flavorful. Serve over rice, egg noodles, or chow mein." - MJWAGNER68 20 of 23 Slow Cooker Butter Chicken View Recipe mcalbert "When my friend made this slow cooker version for my family, we were head over heels! I don't think I've had Butter Chicken that I've liked more. It's wonderful to put into the slow cooker in the morning and come home to the warm Indian spice smell. Love it! Serve with basmati rice and warm naan bread." — The Meal Planner 21 of 23 Slow Cooker Pork Cacciatore View Recipe Allrecipes Magazine "Delicious! I was a little hesitant to try this as I lived in Italy for a short time and hold my Italian food to a very high standard. I was very pleased with the turnout. It would be better with homemade pasta sauce instead of using sauce from a jar. But with the added veggies and spices, the sauce was great." — Alison and Bird 22 of 23 Slow Cooker Adobo Chicken with Bok Choy View Recipe This simple method works equally well with any stewing or braising meat — duck legs, chicken thighs, pork chops. Serve with steamed rice. 23 of 23 Slow Cooker Texas Smoked Beef Brisket View Recipe Fraser Medford You don't need to be a pitmaster (or even own a smoker) to make this Texas favorite. Along with a bold spice rub, Worcestershire and liquid smoke amp up bottled barbecue sauce for extra smokiness. "Absolutely delicious!" says user Carl Frodge. 20 Best Slow Cooker Recipes See our entire collection of slow cooker recipes here. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit